contract Archives

Winsage

September 6, 2026

Four REVSTEALER-Linked Modules Disable Windows Update and Defender to Run a Crypto Miner

Elastic Security Labs has identified four previously undocumented programs associated with REVSTEALER, a Windows information stealer that persists on infected machines after self-deletion. The programs are ProManager, WinUpdate, SoftManager, and LockAppHost, each with distinct functionalities. ProManager steals wallet files and logs passwords, WinUpdate monitors the clipboard for cryptocurrency addresses, SoftManager acts as a reverse proxy, and LockAppHost executes a cryptocurrency miner after disabling Windows Update and Microsoft Defender. REVSTEALER has been marketed as a commercial infostealer since February 2026, exfiltrating sensitive data such as browser passwords, cookies, and cryptocurrency wallet information. It deletes itself after reporting its activities but leaves the four programs installed for persistence. These programs share build tradecraft with REVSTEALER, including the use of identical packers and runtime function resolutions. REVSTEALER primarily spreads through game-cheat lures and disguises itself as pirated software. It employs evasion techniques to resist analysis, including checking for sandbox environments and using indirect system calls. Users are advised to avoid unofficial software and to follow specific steps if infected, such as re-enabling Windows Update services and changing passwords. Indicators of compromise include SHA-256 hashes for REVSTEALER and its associated programs, as well as domains linked to their command and control servers.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

NYC Council to grill Mamdani admin over use of influencers, encrypted messaging app

The City Council will examine Mayor Mamdani's administration's use of a secretive encrypted messaging channel for media relations, which connects nearly 200 social media influencers. This discussion is scheduled for a hearing on September 22. Queens Councilman Phil Wong plans to introduce legislation requiring influencers to label posts for city agency campaigns with a disclaimer stating “Paid for by NYC.” A report revealed that city officials communicated with influencers through a Signal app group titled “NYC Creators Announcements,” sharing updates and multimedia content. Some influencers received payment for their involvement, while others supported the mayor's agenda for personal growth. Concerns have been raised about the Signal chat potentially violating record-keeping regulations due to auto-deletion of messages. The identities of the influencers and details of their contracts remain undisclosed. Wong's proposed bill aims to reveal any undisclosed payments to influencers and raise questions about the integrity of the administration's use of external promoters. Critics argue that the administration's secrecy calls for greater transparency in public relations expenditures.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Site provides instructions to get up to $175 back for your pre-installed Windows 11 license — new portal provides legal forms, but warns buyers not to wipe storage first

A significant portion of new PCs is sold with Windows 11 pre-installed, causing frustration among Linux enthusiasts. The Refund4Freedom initiative, launched by the Italian Linux Society and the Free Software Foundation Europe, aims to provide consumers with the option to purchase laptops without being tied to a specific operating system and to avoid paying for unwanted software. The initiative has three main demands: 1. Freedom of Choice: Consumers should not be forced to use or pay for pre-installed software. 2. Transparent Pricing: Consumers should be able to purchase hardware without pre-installed software and see price differences. 3. Clear Refund Processes: Manufacturers must provide clear guidelines for requesting refunds for pre-installed software. The Refund4Freedom website details various brands' reimbursement practices, noting that Acer and Lenovo have established refund processes for Windows, while Asus has a less visible route primarily in Italy. Dell and HP currently do not offer reimbursement options. For those wishing to reject Windows, Refund4Freedom advises documenting contract clauses, contacting customer service, and using a pre-made form for refunds, which is tailored for Italy. The typical reimbursement amount for a Windows license is around €50, though it varies by region and manufacturer.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

Dishonored was a last-ditch effort by Arkane Studios after years of fruitless contract work, according to the game’s co-creator: ‘I think we had four months of money left’

Harvey Smith, former head of Arkane Austin, has launched a new studio called Black Pony Immersive, focusing on immersive simulations inspired by titles like Deus Ex and System Shock. Smith's previous experience at Arkane included a critical period of financial uncertainty, which led to a decision to concentrate on their core vision, resulting in the successful creation of Dishonored. With Black Pony Immersive, Smith aims to foster creativity without succumbing to industry trends, following the less successful title Redfall. The immersive sim genre is seeing a resurgence, with other projects like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, as well as an unnamed RPG from WolfEye Studios, indicating a promising future for the genre.

TrendTechie

August 21, 2026

Гас Поёт не прошёл отбор по документам: кто из кандидатов на временного главного тренера сборной Южной Кореи наиболее вероятен? — внимание сосредоточено на «испанской тройке»: Морено, Каса и Торрент.

The documentary selection for the interim head coach position of the South Korean national football team has concluded, with Gas Poiet not passing the selection process. The Korea Football Association announced the completion of the documentary selection on the 17th, noting that several coaches applied, but Poiet did not meet the requirements. Other candidates include former Spain national team head coach Roberto Moreno, Domenec Torrent, and Jesus Casa. The Korea Football Association plans to conduct online interviews with candidates who passed the documentary selection, although it remains unclear who those candidates are. The head coach position is currently vacant following the resignation of Hong Myung-bo after the team's performance at the 2026 World Cup. The association aims to appoint a permanent head coach by September to October of this year.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

PC Game Pass Has Some Seriously Good Turn-Based RPGs

The text discusses various turn-based RPGs and strategy games available on Xbox Game Pass, highlighting 17 standout titles. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A turn-based RPG with innovative combat mechanics and a compelling narrative centered around the Paintress. 2. Heroes of Might and Magic II & III - Classic strategy games known for exploration, resource management, and tactical battles. 3. South Park: The Fractured But Whole - An RPG with grid-based combat and tactical elements, infused with the show's humor. 4. Wasteland 3 - A CRPG set in a post-apocalyptic world, featuring intricate storytelling and strategic turn-based combat. 5. BATTLETECH - A tactical mech combat game focused on managing a mercenary company and strategic planning. 6. Death Howl - Combines grid movement with deckbuilding mechanics in a dark narrative. 7. Echo Generation 2 - Introduces deckbuilding mechanics and multiple characters with a voxel art style. 8. For The King II - A blend of tabletop RPG elements and roguelite mechanics, designed for group play. 9. Gears Tactics - A tactical turn-based game that transitions from a third-person shooter, encouraging aggressive playstyles. 10. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - Revitalizes the classic formula with modern production values. 11. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Continues the turn-based combat from its predecessor with an expansive world. 12. Persona 5 Royal - A defining JRPG that balances everyday life with supernatural adventures and stylish turn-based combat. 13. The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut - A first-person dungeon crawler with exploration and puzzle-solving elements. 14. The Thaumaturge - Set in early 20th-century Warsaw, featuring political tension and supernatural intrigue in its narrative. 15. Wartales - Focuses on managing mercenaries in a medieval world, emphasizing survival and personal storytelling. 16. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Offers a turn-based mode in a richly detailed world with complex narratives. 17. Phoenix Point - A tactical game that serves as a successor to XCOM, featuring a unique free-aim system and evolving enemy mechanics.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Simplify AI agent orchestration with Lakebase Postgres

The auditing process has traditionally been labor-intensive, requiring extensive document reviews. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) partnered with the Databricks Forward Deployed Engineering team to develop a document processing application that reduces extraction time from hours to minutes while maintaining quality. The application is built on the Databricks platform, utilizing technologies like Lakebase Postgres, Databricks Apps, Lakeflow Jobs, MLflow, and Unity Catalog Volumes. The application addresses challenges in document parsing, including unpredictable per-task latency, rate-limit-aware throttling, workload prioritization, cost attribution per task, and real-time progress visibility. It eliminates the need for multiple specialized systems by integrating components such as a web application for user interaction, Lakebase for state management, an orchestrator for task management, and AI agents for document processing. The task queue is supported by two Postgres tables in Lakebase, tracking task status and execution attempts. Concurrency safety is ensured through a locking mechanism, and crash recovery is facilitated by lease-based locking. The orchestrator implements rate-limit-aware throttling and idempotent webhook callbacks to manage task processing effectively. An operator dashboard provides real-time metrics on task status, agent performance, and workload costs, with live updates through Postgres LISTEN/NOTIFY events. Cost attribution is managed at the application level, allowing for detailed monitoring of expenditures. Lakebase enhances the orchestration process with features like autoscaling compute, OAuth-rotated authentication, Unity Catalog integration, and support for branching and snapshots.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

‘Lord Of The Rings’ and ‘Minecraft’ inspired Au/Ra’s alt-pop debut

Alt-pop artist Au/Ra has released her debut album, ‘Heartcore,’ inspired by her childhood experiences and escapism into fantasy worlds. The album reflects her journey of healing from childhood traumas, which she began addressing through therapy. Growing up between Ibiza and Antigua, she found solace in video games and creative writing, particularly influenced by titles like Final Fantasy 15 and The Lord Of The Rings. Au/Ra debuted with the track ‘Concrete Jungle’ at age 14 and faced challenges with her label, Sony, which affected her music release. Despite these obstacles, she maintained a connection with her fans through gaming and community engagement. The first song she wrote for ‘Heartcore’ was ‘Blah,’ expressing her feelings of betrayal and abandonment, which helped her gain clarity for the album's creative process.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2026

Gen Digital stock holds steady as cybersecurity demand supports long term growth

Gen Digital is a publicly traded company focused on cybersecurity and digital privacy solutions, primarily targeting consumers and small businesses. The company generates revenue through recurring subscriptions for its security and identity protection services, which include antivirus software, VPN services, and identity monitoring. Gen Digital's business model relies on bundling multiple security features into comprehensive offerings, providing predictable revenue and stability in cash flows. The company emphasizes continuous updates to its services to protect against evolving cybersecurity threats. Its growth prospects are linked to trends in cybersecurity spending and the increasing adoption of subscription-based solutions. Gen Digital differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on individual devices and home networks rather than large enterprises. The company also benefits from distribution partnerships that help expand its customer base. Long-term demand for its products is driven by digitalization, cyber risks, and growing consumer awareness of privacy issues. Gen Digital's stock performance is influenced by both company-specific factors and broader market trends in technology and cybersecurity.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: ‘We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!’

Sand: Raiders of Sophie, a steampunk-mechs-in-the-desert game, sold 300,000 copies after its early access launch. An update released on July 2 caused connection issues, leading to a rollback of changes. The game ranks among the top 100 most played games. The second update on June 2 faced backlash due to connectivity problems but was quickly addressed. The update included fixes for server availability, enhanced BattlEye functionality, refined character movement, and various balance changes. Known issues include characters getting stuck on ladders and transparency issues in spectator mode.